My dragon family and a question regarding two... (yixing)

Hope you like my family as much as I do. I know these are not everyone's choice of teapot, but I've learned the one I've been using makes a totally kick-butt cup of black tea. Just thought I'd say that.

Now, with this photo, please see the teapot on the left and note how much larger it is than the one on the right. Also note the color differences. Can someone explain? Was one fired longer/higher than the other? These are all stamped by the same marking. The one on the right, although it has been used for the last month and constantly seasoned, is consistent with the color of the remaining ones.

These pots are very sought after now and are getting very rare. You should be careful when you use these treasures. Take care not to damage the dragon tongue at the cover. The tongue is a small piece of Zisha in the shape of letter "L". Sometimes they got jammed and don't be tempted to pull it back in position as you might break it. Once the tongue is dislocated, its' value drops tremendously. A pot with damaged tongue is refer by some as a mute dragon pot.

Many of these pots were mass produced pots from 70s to 90s and comes in various sizes, clay and color variations. That explain the difference in color tonality. The same clay can also appear in different color under different firing temperature.

I broke the dragon head and tongue on another one that had the best lid fit of the lot (no drips) so that was kind of a super bummer. I was going to use it for pu'erh. That one sits on the shelf, although I have the parts which could possibly be mended, but sad to say I broke it. Revealed was a very beautiful inside of the dome since now the dragon head was broken off and I could peer in.

Despite the details being quickly drawn on the carp and dragon, everything else seems to have some super attention to detail, even the inside of the teapots. They are stamped with Shi Fusheng's mark on the inside of the lids. So, I am guessing that the makers likely worked under him in the factory? But I have not located any information saying he worked in the Factory? Please advise if you know more about this.

The tongues do stick when they are wet. And I don't bother with them. They all work very well other than the one that I broke (when dry). I am storing the other five, using one, and contemplating on what I should do with the broken 7th one that is not in the photos. Always been a collector, just never thought tea could be so cool when collecting. I came from the coin world and you will see me sitting with a loupe in hand examining my teapots every square mm, looking at every little detail.

Teaism wrote:These pots are very sought after now and are getting very rare. You should be careful when you use these treasures. Take care not to damage the dragon tongue at the cover. The tongue is a small piece of Zisha in the shape of letter "L". Sometimes they got jammed and don't be tempted to pull it back in position as you might break it. Once the tongue is dislocated, its' value drops tremendously. A pot with damaged tongue is refer by some as a mute dragon pot.

Ha. Funny this came up! I just bought a 200ml dragon pot with a missing tongue. I actually didn't know they were supposed to have a moving tongue until after I bought it. A friend clued me in last week. Luckily I got a great deal on it, so despite the "tremendously" dropped value, I think it was still a good deal. They may be mass produced, but the clay on these type of pots is that good oldschool stuff.

bagua7, hey you. Yeah, I saw that thread. My lady-friend keeps telling me we should fix it, but I am one of those out of sight, out of mind types. In the mean time, we'll wait and see.

tingjunkie, funny about the tongues. It does give them character and actually makes them quite fun to pour (first rinse anyway, since later the tongues seem to all stick from the wetness). As for the sizes, they vary from 165-190 (the large one I mentioned above is 190ml) while the one next to it is approximately 170ml.

The tongue get stuck quite often. NEVER try to dislodge it with your fingers. Very likely that you will snap it if you do so. The tongue is a small "L" shape Zisha and carefully inserted in. You can imagine the level of craftsmanship in this type of pot.

A good way to dislodge the tongue is to submerge the cover into water, whilst holding the dragon head. Shake it very gentle left and right and the tongue should dislodged.

Another method is to tap the dragon head gently, with the tip of chopstick, whilst holding the dragon head pointing towards the ground. Both method works quite well.

I have a camera phone. If you really want me to make a video, I'd be more than happy to oblige. Let me know! I can do it later this afternoon. It won't be anything spectacular, but at least you'll then understand it.

Hey, I apologize for not getting the video done sooner. I will do it very soon. I promise. It's taking me a bit longer because I've never uploaded a video to any website before. It is just one of those things... I haven't forgotten about it!!!

Update: I ended up giving all but one of these away as gifts. I kept one and it still brews a mean cup of red tea. The zini clay is great for brewing and they were tested free of lead, so that was a plus sign. I see the seller is selling more of these same again. I've only brewed black/red tea in it and for 25 bucks, I cannot complain. It is tealicious!